Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’, selected for its upright plant architecture, yield potential, medium fruit size, shelf life, and flavor, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ was discovered in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom in June of 2014, and originated from a cross between the female parent ‘UUK 125-001’ (unpatented) and the male parent ‘UUK 143-001’ (unpatented). ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ was first asexually propagated via stolons in the Netherlands in July of 2014.

‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons and underwent further testing in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom for 5 years (2014 to 2018). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in East Malling, Kent, the United Kingdom:

-   -   1. Upright plant growth habit;     -   2. Strong plant vigor; and     -   3. Improved shelf life.

‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ was selected for its upright plant architecture, yield potential, medium fruit size, shelf life, and flavor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are nine to eleven months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’.

FIG. 2 illustrates whole fruit and longitudinal sections of the fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’.

FIG. 5 illustrates plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in East Malling, Kent, the United Kingdom from 2014 to 2018. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ was taken from plants that were nine to eleven months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Strawberry variety ‘UUK 125-001’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Strawberry variety ‘UUK 143-001’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—53.9 cm.         -   Diameter.—38.3 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—4.6.         -   Growth habit.—Upright -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—20-28.         -   Diameter at bract.—2.5 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Stolon color.—RHS N144C (Strong yellow-green).         -   Length.—36 cm. -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 139A (Dark yellowish green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 138B (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Average leaf size.—Large.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 10.9 cm. Width: 9.2 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.2. Number of teeth/terminal leaflet:             18.2. Shape of base: Obtuse. Margin: Serrate to crenate.             Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 39.3 cm. Diameter: 4.1 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on             each petiole): 0. Color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow-green).         -   Petiolule.—Length: 8.5 mm. Diameter: 2.1 mm. Color: RHS 145B             (Light yellow-green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 1.8 cm. Width: 6.2 mm. Anthocyanin color:             RHS N144D (Strong yellow-green). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Same level.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 3 cm. Diameter: 0.4 cm. Color: RHS 144B             (Strong yellow-green).         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards.         -   Flower bud.—Length: 7 mm. Diameter: 10 mm. Color: RHS 146B             (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 26.3 mm. Typical and observed number             of flowers per plant: 36.3. Arrangement of petals: Free.             Stamen: Present.         -   Petal.—Length: 9.3 mm. Width: 8.9 mm. Length/width ratio:             1.0. Typical and observed petal number: 5.1. Color of upper             side: RHS NN155B (White). Color of underside: RHS NN155B             (White). Shape of apex: Rounded. Shape of base: Concave to             convex. Margin: Entire.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 23.8 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 11.3 mm. Width: 4.0 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 10.1. Color: RHS 137A (Moderate olive green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—38.0 mm.         -   Width.—34.3 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.3.         -   Fruit hollow length.—15.4 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—9.8 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—1.6.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS 44B (Vivid reddish orange).         -   Position of achenes.—Below surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 42A (Vivid reddish             orange).         -   Color of core.—RHS 42D (Moderate reddish orange).         -   Average weight per berry.—21.5 grams. -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—Late April to early June.         -   Harvest interval.—Late May to late June.         -   Type of bearing.—Not remontant.         -   Productivity.—0.650 kg to 0.700 kg of fruit per plant per             season from nine- to eleven-month-old plants when grown in             East Malling, Kent, the United Kingdom. -   Resistance to diseases:     -   -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Verticillium wilt.—Moderately resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ differs from the female parent ‘UUK 125-001’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ is more productive, has a lower cull rate (non-marketable fruit), larger fruit size, improved shelf life, and much improved fruit sweetness as compared to ‘UUK 125-001’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ differs from the male parent ‘UUK 143-001’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ is higher yielding, has a significantly lower cull rate (non-marketable fruit), has a more attractive fruit appearance, and has a significantly improved shelf life as compared to ‘UUK 143-001’. Further, ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ produces darker berries as compared to ‘UUK 143-001’. The fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ is also marginally sweeter than that of ‘UUK 143-001’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyFive’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,747) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ have an upright growth habit, whereas plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyFive’ have a semi-upright growth habit. Further, plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ have strong vigor, whereas plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyFive’ have medium vigor. Moreover, plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ have inflorescence on the same level with foliage, whereas plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyFive’ have inflorescence beneath foliage. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ have achenes below surface, whereas fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyFive’ have achenes level with surface. Lastly, ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ has an improved shelf life as compared to ‘DrisStrawFiftyFive’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawFortyFive’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,645) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ have strong vigor, whereas plants of ‘DrisStrawFortyFive’ have medium vigor. Further, terminal leaflets of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ have a serrate to crenate margin, whereas terminal leaflets of ‘DrisStrawFortyFive’ have a serrate margin. Moreover, flowers of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ have a free arrangement of petals, whereas flowers of ‘DrisStrawFortyFive’ have an overlapping arrangement of petals. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ have an upwards attitude of sepals, whereas fruit of ‘DrisStrawFortyFive’ have an outwards attitude of sepals. Lastly, ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ is higher yielding and has a significantly improved shelf life as compared to ‘DrisStrawFortyFive’. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ as shown and described herein. 